Abstract: A construction block adapted to interact with other like blocks has a body substantially in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped having a first bearing face, a second bearing face opposite the first bearing face, two sides faces and two end faces. The first bearing face is provided, at one end thereof, with a transverse upstanding ridge, and the second bearing face is provided at the same end, with a transverse notch of less width than the ridge. When the blocks are assembled in courses to produce a retaining wall, the notch of the block of one course is adapted to nest with the inboard side of the ridge of a block in an adjacent course whereby the blocks of one course interact with the blocks of the adjacent course to resist pressure exerted by the earth or soil to be retained, and the resulting retaining wall slopes slightly from the vertical toward the earth or soil being retained. Preferably, the ridge is trapezoidal in cross section, and the notch is constituted by a bevel.